4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Manora Chick]

Hi,

 

We've had two chickens for about a year now introduced another two about 5 weeks ago. We expected some 'fun and games' while they sorted out the pecking order but the pecking doesn't seem to be stopping.

 

One of the new ones now has a badly pecked foot, the original two have pecked all the skin away where the outside front toe joins the ankle so that sinew and bone has been exposed. We've been spraying the foot regularly with purple spray and separating the chicken as much as practical (they are going to have to get used to each other somehow!) but every time we think we're on top of the damage they get at her again.

 

Someone else has suggested using Stockholm Tar on the damaged area but wil this help prevent any infection getting in the wound?

 

The injury doesn't seem to be causing her a great deal of distress, she comes running for food and will hold her own in the grapple to get at the bread crumbs but she does periodically go and seek a quiet corner and lie down looking very sorry for herself. It also doesn't seem to have affected her egg laying.

 

Is there anything else we can do?

 

Thanks

[Egluntyne]

I would spray it with Purple Spray ( Gentian violet). It will disguise the wound and is antiseptic.

[Manora Chick]

I would spray it with Purple Spray ( Gentian violet). It will disguise the wound and is antiseptic.

 

That's what we've been doing for 2 weeks now but it doesn't seem to be stopping them from pecking at her.

[Egluntyne]

Perhaps something bitter such as Ukadex, which is similar to Stockholm Tar, smells vile, but isn't as gloopy.